2022-23 Rosters

[BEARZ77]

Bears have to be preseason favorite to win the Valley

The only people who ever float this are other Valley posters; we'll be decent, maybe better than that, but Drake is the favorite, Bradley probably #2, & SIU should be somewhere around there . Mosley might make us #3 preseason, w/o him,probably 4-6 preseason is reasonable. I like the makeup of this team, but let's be real, at most we will have 2 regulars back, but most likely 1. Transfers, jucos, freshmen make up 80% of the roster.

If Wardle and Mullin aren't in the top 3 finish, that's massive under performance for those teams and a bad sign for those programs.

This is all totally fair.

It's time for Mullins to show he actually understands what offense is and for Wardle to do something before St Louis.

[Adunk33]

Redbirds got a couple commits this weekend.

2022-23 Roster as it stands 5/4.
1. McChesney (f)
2. Lewis (f)
3. Sissoko (f)
4. Kotov (f)
5. Schmitt (f)
6. Sandage (g) Xfer from Western Illinois
7. Poindexter (g) Xfer from Virginia
8. Burford (g) Xfer from Elon
9. Luke Kasubke (g) Xfer from K-State

Stadelman WO (g)
Miller WO (g)

Pedon may be working with 2 or 4 scholarships. The previous staff got verbals from twins from North Carolina. They have been active on social media. Usually, in those cases, they are excited for the pageantry of signing day, but it's been quiet on that front. As of 4/9, they were still coming but with a couple more guards added, that may change their mind.

If Pedon is only working with two, they have to be targeting size in the forward position. If he has four, there is more flexibility and still needs to add size but it could be a couple forwards, a wing, and a guard (keeping in mind that three of the current guards are WO).

The Redbirds have added 6'5 guard K-State Transfer Luke Kasubke out of Chaminade (STL). He was a very highly touted 2020 recruit and an injury hindered his development during his freshman year. He would've redshirted had the COVID exemption not been available.

3 scholarships to give. I anticipate Pedon and Co to be targeting a couple forwards and a wing.

[Kyle_Saluki_17]

Redbirds got a couple commits this weekend.

2022-23 Roster as it stands 4/18.
1. Freeman (g)
2. McChesney (f)
3. Lewis (f)
4. Sissoko (f)
5. Kotov (f)
6. Schmitt (g)
7. Sandage (g) Xfer from Western Illinois
8. Poindexter (g) Xfer from Virginia
9. Burford (g) Xfer from Elon
Samuels WO (g)
Stadelman WO (g)
Miller WO (g)

Pedon may be working with 2 or 4 scholarships. The previous staff got verbals from twins from North Carolina. They have been active on social media. Usually, in those cases, they are excited for the pageantry of signing day, but it's been quiet on that front. As of 4/9, they were still coming but with a couple more guards added, that may change their mind.

If Pedon is only working with two, they have to be targeting size in the forward position. If he has four, there is more flexibility and still needs to add size but it could be a couple forwards, a wing, and a guard (keeping in mind that three of the current guards are WO).

The Redbirds have added 6'5 guard K-State Transfer Luke Kasubke out of Chaminade (STL). He was a very highly touted 2020 recruit and an injury hindered his development during his freshman year. He would've redshirted had the COVID exemption not been available.

3 scholarships to give. I anticipate Pedon and Co to be targeting a couple forwards and a wing.

I feel like we know so much more about IL State’s roster than Murray so far…

[Dawgbit]

Redbirds got a couple commits this weekend.

2022-23 Roster as it stands 4/18.
1. Freeman (g)
2. McChesney (f)
3. Lewis (f)
4. Sissoko (f)
5. Kotov (f)
6. Schmitt (g)
7. Sandage (g) Xfer from Western Illinois
8. Poindexter (g) Xfer from Virginia
9. Burford (g) Xfer from Elon
Samuels WO (g)
Stadelman WO (g)
Miller WO (g)

Pedon may be working with 2 or 4 scholarships. The previous staff got verbals from twins from North Carolina. They have been active on social media. Usually, in those cases, they are excited for the pageantry of signing day, but it's been quiet on that front. As of 4/9, they were still coming but with a couple more guards added, that may change their mind.

If Pedon is only working with two, they have to be targeting size in the forward position. If he has four, there is more flexibility and still needs to add size but it could be a couple forwards, a wing, and a guard (keeping in mind that three of the current guards are WO).

The Redbirds have added 6'5 guard K-State Transfer Luke Kasubke out of Chaminade (STL). He was a very highly touted 2020 recruit and an injury hindered his development during his freshman year. He would've redshirted had the COVID exemption not been available.

3 scholarships to give. I anticipate Pedon and Co to be targeting a couple forwards and a wing.

I feel like we know so much more about IL State’s roster than Murray so far…

I too, have noticed a rather sudden cessation of puffery emanating from our new south-of-the-border comrades.

[Bearvision]

Bears add the highest rated kid in the Valley in James Graham as a transfer from Maryland.

6-8 wing, was rated #78 by 247 Sports coming out of high school. Bit of an unusual path, as he was a 17 y/o when he graduated high school early, enrolled at Maryland, then didn't play a ton. Was an 18 y/o sophomore who entered transfer portal at semester.

Was rated #8 transfer by ESPN, but I believe that has moved around as others have entered the portal.

Bears are one over the scholarship limit currently. Have added transfers from:

Maryland
Oklahoma
Arkansas
Georgia
Colorado State
St. Peter's
Akron/St. John's

Not sure if it was posted in here, but the Bears added Colorado State starting combo guard Kendle Moore, whom Colorado State wanted to keep. He had previously announced he was returning on his 5th year there, then changed his mind and entered portal. Illinois kid who is getting much closer to home.

No juniors on the roster currently, is a bit of a roster problem, but the transfer portal will sort that out when some of these players get upset at lack of playing time.

Current Roster:

Matthew Lee, 6' PG (St. Peter's)
Kendle Moore, 6' Combo Guard (Colorado State)
Alston Mason, 6-2 Combo Guard (Oklahoma)
Chance Moore, 6-5 SG (Arkansas)
Damien Mayo, 6-3 Combo Guard
Bryan Trimble, 6-2 SG (Akron/St. John's)
James Graham, 6-8 Wing (Maryland)
Donovan Clay, 6-8 PF
Dalen Ridgnal, 6-8 PF (Georgia)
Jonathan Mogbo, 6-8 PF (Juco)
Jonathan Dunn, 6-8 PF
NJ Benson, 6-7 PF
Raphe Ayers, 6-5 Wing
Dawson Carper, 7' C

[Adunk33]

Current Roster:

Matthew Lee, 6' PG (St. Peter's)
Kendle Moore, 6' Combo Guard (Colorado State)
Alston Mason, 6-2 Combo Guard (Oklahoma)
Chance Moore, 6-5 SG (Arkansas)
Damien Mayo, 6-3 Combo Guard
Bryan Trimble, 6-2 SG (Akron/St. John's)
James Graham, 6-8 Wing (Maryland)
Donovan Clay, 6-8 PF
Dalen Ridgnal, 6-8 PF (Georgia)
Jonathan Mogbo, 6-8 PF (Juco)
Jonathan Dunn, 6-8 PF
NJ Benson, 6-7 PF
Raphe Ayers, 6-5 Wing
Dawson Carper, 7' C

As I was tracking the transfers out, I noticed what Mo State is bringing in. Very impressive with all of the P5 transfers. I'm curious how team chemistry is going to be, especially at the guard spot. There's a ton of talent but only so many minutes. It'll be interesting to see if Dana can get these guys to jell together and play high level ball. On paper...Mo State is with out a doubt a top 4 team in the league. It looks like you've got at least 8 or 9 guys who could be starting.

[tribecalledquest]

Current Roster:

Matthew Lee, 6' PG (St. Peter's)
Kendle Moore, 6' Combo Guard (Colorado State)
Alston Mason, 6-2 Combo Guard (Oklahoma)
Chance Moore, 6-5 SG (Arkansas)
Damien Mayo, 6-3 Combo Guard
Bryan Trimble, 6-2 SG (Akron/St. John's)
James Graham, 6-8 Wing (Maryland)
Donovan Clay, 6-8 PF
Dalen Ridgnal, 6-8 PF (Georgia)
Jonathan Mogbo, 6-8 PF (Juco)
Jonathan Dunn, 6-8 PF
NJ Benson, 6-7 PF
Raphe Ayers, 6-5 Wing
Dawson Carper, 7' C

As I was tracking the transfers out, I noticed what Mo State is bringing in. Very impressive with all of the P5 transfers. I'm curious how team chemistry is going to be, especially at the guard spot. There's a ton of talent but only so many minutes. It'll be interesting to see if Dana can get these guys to jell together and play high level ball. On paper...Mo State is with out a doubt a top 4 team in the league. It looks like you've got at least 8 or 9 guys who could be starting.

Certainly possible - but I also think we all tend to overrate recruits we've never seen. We haven't seen them mess up in our favorite uniform. And I also think we underrate guys who return and have produced already in the MVC.

I would still give the edge to teams who have guys we know have contributed in the MVC (Drake, SIU, Bradley).

[Chuck A]

As of 5/20

Jace Carter- 3-star 6'5" Soph SG/F
Jalen Jackson- 3-star 6'3" Fr G
Steven Clay- 3-star 6'5" Fr SG/F
Christian Jones- 3-star 6'5" Fr PG
Toby Okani 3-star 6'8" Soph F (Duquesne)
Cameron Fens 6'11" Fr C (all-Mississippi Valley Conference First Team)
Filip Skobalj 6'8" Soph G
Jaden Brownell 6'8" Soph F
Tyler Stevenson 6'8" Grad F (Southern Miss)
Trevante Anderson 6'1" Grad PG (Idaho)
Damaria Franklin 6'3" SG (Tennessee Tech)*
Griffin Yaklich 6'6" Jr G (Walk-On)


*Depending on Franklin's decision to return or not. If he returns, Flames have 2 scholarships remaining. If he leaves officially, UIC has 3 left.

[Adunk33]

2022-23 Roster as it stands 5/4.
1. McChesney (f)
2. Lewis (f)
3. Sissoko (f)
4. Kotov (f)
5. Schmitt (f)
6. Sandage (g) Xfer from Western Illinois
7. Poindexter (g) Xfer from Virginia
8. Burford (g) Xfer from Elon
9. Luke Kasubke (g) Xfer from K-State

Stadelman WO (g)
Miller WO (g)

Updated to reflect Freeman's departure.

FYI- Josiah Strong is open to coming back. He recently listed ILST in his top 5 along with Wake Forest, Oklahoma, Colo St, and Cal.

Pedon has four scholarships to fill. He was recently asked if he planned to fill them all and he stuck to his original philosophy that he is not just going to bring in guys to fill a roster spot. He's trying to build a program, not a roster. He mentioned in his opening press conference that he doesn't believe in trying to fit a square peg in a round hole.

The previous staff would frequently just get the best player/athlete available in the spring and then hope they fit whatever "system." Pedon seems to be putting system first, second, and third. Muller took a lot of risk, some paid off, many didn't. Pedon appears to be being much more calculated with his moves.

[tribecalledquest]

Bradley completed it's roster - getting a commitment from Goanar Biliew. Biliew is a 6-9 F/C from Des Moines Area CC. He played his HS ball in Iowa. He averaged 12.3 PPG and 6.8 RPG for DMACC.

While not all fans agreed with the plan Bradley was clearly looking for a 4/5 man to develop and play 8-10 minutes a game this season behind Mast, Leons and Henry.

His brother Omaha Biliew is the #9 ranked recruit nationally in the Class of 2023.

Maybe some Drake or UNI fans who saw DMACC play this year will have some thoughts. Seems to be similar in build/athleticism/projection as Issa Samake from Drake.